Mavericks outrun KHS

Photos by Dr. Jeff Davis WRAP HIM UP — Kilgore linebacker Mishaud Austin (7, in white) pulls down Marshall quarterback Darius Jones for a sack. The Bulldogs' defense had a good game, but a tough night, as they came home from Maverick Stadium with a 28-18 defeat. Below: running back Frank Reddic (4) had 133 yards rushing and two touchdowns, including a 70- yarder, in the game. Kilgore (2-1) will host Gilmer on Friday night for homecoming, and then visits Palestine on Sept. 26 to conclude the non-district portion of the schedule. The Ragin' Red takes a week off Oct. 3, then begins the District 14-4A schedule at home on Friday, Oct. 10 against Lindale. MARSHALL — Weather off Hurricane Ike wasn't a factor whatsoever in the annual football meeting between Kilgore High School and Marshall, even though the game's kickoff was moved up just a tad, just in case.

What was a factor was Marshall quarterback Darius Jones and the Mavericks' ability to keep their offense on the field for much of the game, including a key third-quarter drive of 15 plays that resulted in an improbable touchdown pass. Kilgore remained within striking distance, but just didn't have enough time, and came home with a 28-18 defeat, the Bulldogs' first of the season. Jones, a verbal commitment to Oklahoma, was a big reason why: he had 184 yards and a pair of scores on the night, and also had a touchdown pass in the second half.

The Ragin' Red (2-1) will host Gilmer on Friday night here at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium for homecoming, and then finish the non-district portion of the 2008 schedule with a trip to Palestine Sept. 26.

The Mavericks' win was their first over Kilgore at Maverick Stadium since 1989. The Bulldogs lost to Marshall in 2005 and 2006, but both of those games were home games. Kilgore beat Marshall at Maverick Stadium last season. This was also the first win in the series for coach Thedrick Harris.

Marshall (3-0) opened the game with a nice series, but two straight incomplete passes on second and third downs halted it, and the Mavericks punted. On the first KHS possession of the night, the Bulldogs moved the ball methodically downfield, aided by a pass interference call on Marshall. The drive stalled at the Marshall 24-yardline, and coach Mike Vallery didn't hesitate on fourth down: he sent Ryan Bustin out to kick a 41-yard field goal. Bustin hit it, no problem, and gave Kilgore a 3-0 lead.

Photo by Dr. Jeff Davis GET HIM! — Kilgore's Trevor Moon (3) makes a tackle on a Marshall tailback, as Kendall Moore (2) and Dexter Prince (27) are also in the mix. The Bulldogs came up a little short Friday night at Marshall, falling 28-18. Kilgore (2-1) will host Gilmer this Friday night, the Bulldogs' 2008 homecoming game. Unfortunately, it lasted for just 13 seconds.

On the deep kickoff, Marshall's Jamal Anderson wound his way downfield for a quick 84-yard touchdown.

Kilgore could move the ball fairly effectively on the Mavericks, but often found themselves in third and long, and Marshall was able to hold them. And then when it looked as if KHS might get the ball back midway through the second quarter, with the Mavericks in third-and-long, Jones somehow got through the middle of the defense for a 66-yard touchdown run.

Kilgore got a couple of opportunities before the half was over. The Ragin' Red put together an eight-play, 54-yard drive down to the Marshall 14-yard-line, but couldn't convert on thirdand 6. Bustin marched out again and again was money, a 31-yard field goal that brought KHS within a touchdown and two point conversion, 14-6.

Kilgore's Xavian Sanders recovered a Jones fumble at midfield with 25 seconds left in the half, and Steven McBryde's first-down pass to Andrew Ector, who had a big night, was complete for 3 yards. But Kilgore couldn't capitalize. The first-half clock ran out as Bustin's punt hit the turf in the end zone.

KHS tight end Dominique Jones had a great catch along the Marshall sidelines on the first possession for the Bulldogs in the third quarter, but Kilgore wound up in third-and-6 again, and again couldn't convert. And when Marshall got the ball after that punt, taking over at its own 25, the Mavericks were impressive, putting together a 15-play, 75-yard drive. On fourth and 17 from Kilgore's 30, Jones scrambled free and somehow found teammate Denzel Williams downfield. Williams made the catch for a 30-yard touchdown, and put Marshall up 21-6.

Probably the biggest play of the game for Kilgore came on the next possession when senior tailback Frank Reddic, on first down from the KHS 30, ran right through would-be Marshall tacklers through the middle of the Mavericks' defense and then turned on the afterburners, going the distance for a 70-yard touchdown. But a miscue on the extra point forced Will Mixon to pick up the ball and try to run it in — Mixon was tackled by Marshall defenders, leaving the score 21-12.

Jones had his final highlight of the night on a 31-yard touchdown with 7:45 left in the game that put Marshall up by 16, 28- 12. But the Bulldogs came back again, a nice 15-play drive of their own. Reddic scored his second touchdown of the night on a 6-yard run with 3:07 left. The two-point conversion pass by Ken Smith to Reddic failed, though, as did an onside kick attempt, and Marshall was able to run out the clock.

Reddic led the KHS rushing attack with 133 yards on 18 carries and the two touchdowns. Ector had six catches for 69 yards from McBryde, including a pair of diving, impressive catches. Defensively, linebacker Mishaud Austin had two sacks on Jones and five tackles. Linebacker Taylor Carter had six tackles. Defensive end Dominique Jones had five, and Shaun Edwards, also at defensive end, had four. Defensive tackles Justin Roberts and Vince Cano each had three tackles. Cornerback Xavian Sanders had the fumble recovery and three tackles.

Kilgore faces Gilmer for just the third time ever on Friday night. The Bulldogs won the first two meetings, 12-0 in 1969 and 28-7 in 1996.